Looking at buying a used 2016 Chrysler Town and country? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The wife does not like the newer Pacificas.

no real first hand experience other than my GM small vans. But a Chrysler would not be my first choice.

Have you considered a Toyota Sienna?

I've had a few Dodge//Chrysler products, including a newer Grand Caravan; never again.

In the 90s, I drove tow trucks, and the 2 companies I worked for could keep one truck busy full time running Chrysler roadside calls for brand new Chrysler products. Transmission and electrical system failures, en masse. From everything I've seen and read, times haven't changed much, and they're still throwaway vehicles, priced accordingly.

Look at used Toyota Siennas and Honda Odysseys. In the same price range as what you're currently looking at, the Toyotas and Hondas will be a year or two older, with probably 30k more miles, to hold your budget. They'll still outlast the Dodge/Chrysler products by a LONGSHOT, with far fewer problems in the interim.

I currently have a 2013 Sienna XLE, and love it, even having previously driven a Suburban. If you look at Toyotas, try to go with the 3.5L V6 w/ timing chain; it's nearly bulletproof.

Based on our experience with one chrysler and two Honda mini vans.

I would look at a Honda.

I would take a good look at the Toyota Sienna. I know a few people with minivans and they all have the Toyota. One had a Honda before and the other had a Dodge for many years.

My parents had a Dodge when I was a kid. This was back when that's what everyone was buying. My dad drove it into the ground. It was about 20 years old when it finally wasn't worth repairing. My dad loved the thing and they looked at new Dodges when they finally decided to get another. After one trip and test in a Dodge, my parents said no way.

The current Toyota and Honda models seen to be much better from what I have heard of people that have them.

Agreed so far with the others, I'd take an Odyssey or Sienna way ahead of a T&C.
Have had a few neighbors with Odysseys with no problems & a coworker is on their 3rd Sienna.

Friend in Atlanta has a Pacifica that he really likes.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
no real first hand experience other than my GM small vans. But a Chrysler would not be my first choice.

Same here, not my first choice either. I would really look at a totally different van if it were me. I don't think Chrysler is anywhere close to what it was years ago.

We had a 2004 Dodge Caravan and it had massive electrical issues. Luckily we had paid $1K for a warranty and the dealership replaced about $2500+ worth of parts and never did know for sure what fixed it. They had to get Dodge's engineers to trouble shoot too. When they were done they had replaced nearly the entire electrical system including computer.

Currently, we own a 2007 Honda Odyssey LX. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles like the newer ones do, but it drives and does it well and without any maintenance issues to speak of. We have replaced one wheel bearing and a bearing on the driver side passenger door. Other than that, just change the oil and rotate the tires.

If I were buying today, I would look hard at the Toyota Sienna. One thing I do not like with all of the newer minivans is that they appear to be merging the minivan and SUV into some weird looking hybrid. The new vans are squattier and have less cargo room than ones just a few years ago and sit way too low to the ground in my opinion.

Depending on what you will use this for and where you will drive it, you may want to consider a mid-size SUV. If it's a soccer mom's wagon/kid hauler the minivan is hard to beat.

Don’t get a Chrysler. My best friend is handicapped and has one. He hates it. It ended up having some part of his engine cracked and replaced. Thankfully under warranty. But it rattles and has all this little stuff that goes wrong with it. Their transmissions are awful too apparently.

Bite the bullet and get the best Honda or Toyota you can afford. Those are the only 2 options. I have had a dodge caravan, rented a 2017 t&c for about 2 months and had a Honda for 3 years.

Electrical issues, body control module, dash went out, and that does not include the mechanical issues..

Had a lot of features that I liked, but in the end, very expensive.

I like the Honda. I was stopped at a red light beside one and a semi truck did not see the red light and rear ended it at about 30 mph. The van was launched down the road. It crushed in a perfect accordion shape and lay the two front seats down. The driver did not have on shoes and cut the top of his foot on the brake pedal. That was the only injury. I have talked other people into the Honda and if I ever needed another mini van, I would buy the Honda.

Being a '16 model, will the seller offer to transfer any warranty(s) or subscription services?

Do you intend to service the vehicle yourself or take it to a mechanic? Factor maintenance with your overall cost of ownership.

What kind of rims are you going to put on it?

We had a Sienna several years ago that the ex took.
Loved it. Smooth and comfy, never had any issues.
It would be my first pick if I was buying another van.


and

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:

What kind of rims are you going to put on it?

I would not get that used Dodge, yes the Honda or Toyota would be more $$.

There are the crossovers now too, depends on how many seats you need.

We bought a new Honda CR-V base model in 2017, $25k off the lot, no issues as we’re over 30k miles.

Used Dodges don’t age well, it’s already for sale. My last Chrysler was back in the 80’s.

As others have said if at all possible stay away from dodge/Chrysler. I would consider the new ”Pacifica” but not any of the previous model/gens from Doge/Chrysler. There is a reason when new Dodge/Chrysler would take a good $15K off a Town and Country to sell them. And also why they have no resell value and are less expensive than the imports.

Best bet is afford what you can in a Honda or Toyota. Honda always has a timing belt due every 60 or 107K pending your driving habits. It must be done or you take a great chance of damaging engine if it breaks. Toyota hasn’t had a timing belt for some years now. That’s the only pro to a Toyota. Otherwise they are equal and solely up to your personal taste and budget.

KIA introduced an improved version of the Sedona van in iirc 2015, it’s current generation. Not sure of mechanics in the long run but it’s worth a look at. The previous gens look very dated.

Nissan should be dependable like Toyota or Honda based on my experience with the Maxima and Infinity V6’s. But the Nissan is kinda quirky in the interior but does have a good storage layout. But they do sell a fraction of them compared to Toyota and Honda. So you might find a good deal compared to a similar Toyota or Honda.

The imports are forgiving on lack of maintenance but the Doge/Chrysler unit would need to be maintained to a “T” to even be somewhat realiable to the imports.

I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey EX. Bought 10yrs ago with 100K. Now have over 200K. Other than the known transmission failure of this generation, it was corrected for the 2005 and up generations, we have no major issues. Just typical maintenance. Same goes for a 2011 Pilot with over 100K.

Honda or Toyota for the win. I would rather pay more to have more mileage, older and less options with the imports than pay less for a lower mileage, newer, and more options on a domestic.

Good luck. There are many too choose from out there. Search well for the right one for you.

In 2012 I bought my wife a Kia Sedona. It has been a great van for her and the kids. I dislike driving it because my knee hits the console area but i hardly ever drive it. That issue has been corrected in the newer ones. They have a great warranty too.

Recently i bought two Ford Transit Connect Vans for my business. This last one, a 2019 transit connect wagon van is very nice for under 27k. Not very peppy with the 4 cyl but they are work delivery vans and will do nicely for that job.

I'm not a ford guy, but GM doesn't have an Astro van any longer and that is really what i needed.

Good luck on your search.

I bought a used 2012 Sienna from Enterprise with 32K miles on it. It has been absolutely perfect in the 5 years I have owned it. No complaints at all.

A Honda will cost you a lot less in the long run. I've been in several with well over 200K on them and they still run and look good.

I must be the only person who has had great success with Chrysler minivans. I currently have a 2002 that my daughter drives, over 200K and going strong.

My wife LOVES her 2008 T&C with 150K. A few little things have needed repair, but for the most part it has been rock solid.

I love the older push rod series of engines (3.3 & 3.6 liter). I don't know that much about the newer Phoenix engine in the 2014? and newer T&C's.